DAMAGE HEALING AND STRENGTHENING BEHAVIOUR IN INTELLIGENT MULLITE/SiC CERAMICS

Abstract Fifteen kinds of mullite/SiC samples with different microstructures were prepared in order to examine the effect of Sic volume% and Sic grain size on mullite morphology and mechanical properties. Special attention was paid to the effect of heat‐treatment on fracture stress. It is shown that these materials have damage self‐healing characteristics. The best mullite/SiC system, within the given test conditions, is 20% by volume of Sic, having a grain sue of 0.56 μm, and the best condition for damage healing is a 1 h heat treatment at 1300°C in an air atmosphere.